Oxygen for the soul

October 26, 2007

By Jerry Scott

Remember when you went swimming as a kid and each kid attempted to stay underwater the longest? That was a game I always lost! The need to breathe was far more important to me than the need to win. After 20 or 30 seconds, I was headed to the surface, gasping for air.

During summer 2005, while vacationing in Colorado, we drove to the summit of Pike’s Peak. At 14,000 feet above sea level the air is crisp, clean … and thin! I felt light-headed. If I had attempted to run any distance in that atmosphere, I probably would have fainted. Just walking made me aware my body was having a problem getting the oxygen it needed.

My soul needs the Holy Spirit like my body needs oxygen. Serving God with strength — living fruitfully, wholly, and holy — demands a fresh, recurring supply of the air of the Spirit in my life. In the Bible, one of the descriptive words used for the Holy Spirit is pneuma, a Greek word that means “air” or “breath.” The Breath of God makes us spiritually alive! But we can cut off the supply!

Samson, that flawed leader in the Book of Judges, is a tragic figure in Scripture. He was beckoned by God, but did not treasure the call or the gifts of God that came with His directive. Samson mixed great service with a low lifestyle, winning victories for the people of God while living with the prostitutes of their enemies!

When those enemies finally defeated Samson, he had become so distant from God’s anointing Spirit “he did not know that the Lord had departed from him” (Judges 16:20, NIV). Without the Spirit’s power, Samson was helpless.

We can become weak, gasping for the Breath of Life, if we cut off the flow of the Spirit with our disobedience or spiritual neglect. It need not be some flagrant act of moral failure. Just ignoring the Spirit, covering His voice with the rush of daily life is enough to compromise His work and blessing within us.

Without the Spirit’s unhindered guidance and empowerment we are weakened. The Word says, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). When He speaks to you about some behavior that needs to change, when He calls on you to give yourself in some specific service, when He says “don’t” or “do,” — always respond with obedience.

“Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted” (Ephesians 4:30, The Message).

Breathe deeply of the Breath of God. Be strengthened. Let the Pneuma fill you with vitality today as you live closely and intimately with Him.

Jerry D. Scott is senior pastor of Washington (N.J.) Assembly of God.